Mote Aquaculture Research Park to Participate in Eat Local Week
A full-to-capacity tour of Mote Aquaculture Research Park (MAP) on October 25th from 10-11:30 a.m. as a part of Transition Sarasota’s Eat Local Week. MAP is the largest research facility in the U.S. focused on developing recirculating aquaculture methods. Participants will view the facility’s state-of-the-art research as well as Mote’s pilot-and commercial-scale recirculating production systems for marine aquaponics and fish stocking.
“As a community-based research organization we are always excited about supporting healthy choices for our environment and our neighbors,” shared Dr. Kevan Main, Senior Scientist and Program Manager. “This is the 4th time we have participated in Eat Local Week and it gets better and better every year.”
Mote Marine Laboratory opened its research field station, the Mote Aquaculture Research Park in 2001 after recognizing the need to develop sustainable aquaculture practices to produce food for human consumption and restore declining fish stocks. Situated on 200 acres in eastern Sarasota County, Mote scientists are developing innovative, ecologically friendly and cost-effective water filtration systems and animal husbandry techniques. This state-of-the-art facility is advancing the newest wave of saltwater aquaponics to farm edible marine plants and fish together, creating opportunities for sustainable local, community-based food production. Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture, or fish farming, with hydroponics, or plant production in nutrient-rich water.
Pre-registration is required for this event and participation is limited, so please register for this event HERE. (Update: This event is now sold out; see what other Eat Local Week events are available.)
About Transition Sarasota’s Eat Local Week
This year marks the 7th annual Eat Local Week hosted by Transition Sarasota. The week’s calendar includes a mix of farm-to-table dinners and tastings, tours of local community gardens and food operations and a dinner that highlights the ways veterans can benefit from learning to cultivate food and that serves as a fundraiser for nonprofits that support local veterans.
About Transition Sarasota
Transition Sarasota is a Sarasota-based nonprofit that is dedicated to shifting food consumption to local sources, supporting local businesses and farmers and eradicating food scarcity in our community. Its two signature initiatives are Eat Local Week and the Suncoast Gleaning Project, which organizes volunteers to pick Jessica’s Organic Farm produce and donate it to All Faiths Food Bank. The Gleaning Project has delivered more than 248,000 pounds of fresh, organic produce into the hands of our community’s hungry families since the program launched in 2010.